Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-04-27

more they were up to them.
"What OH earth is the matter, Bessie" she
said, with quick glance at her companion,
and speaking in low, full voice, with just
slight South African accent, that is taking
enough in a pretty woman. Whereupon
Bessie broke out with history of their ad-
venture, appealing to her companion for con-
firmation at intervals.
Meanwhile her sister, jess, stood quite still
and silent, and it struck Capt Mel that her
face was the most singularly lmpassive one
he had ever seen. It never changed, even
when her sister told how the ostrich rolled on
her aud nearly killed her, or how they finally
subdued the foe. "Dear me-" he thought to
himself, "what a very remarkable woman!
She can't have much heart" But just as he
thought it the girl looked up, and then he
saw where the expression lay. It was III
those remarkable eyes, Impassive as her face
was, the dark eyes were alight with life and
sort Of excitement that made them shine
gloriously. The contrast between the shining
eyes and the impassive face beneath them
struck him as so extraordinary as to be al
most uncaiihy; and, us a matter ct fact, it
was doubtless both unusual and remarkable.
"You have had wonderful escape, but
am sorry for the Bird" she said at last.
"Why!" asked John.
"Because we were great friends. / was the
only person who could manage him."
ayes" put in Bessie, the savage brute
would follow her about like dog. 1t was
lust the oldest thing l ever saw. But, come
on, we must he getting home; it's growing
dark. Mouti" (medicine)-addressing the
Kaffir in Zulu-"help Capt. Mel on to his
horse. Be careful that the saddle does not
twist round; the girths may be loose"
Thus adjured, John, with the help Of the
Zulu, clalnbered into his saddle, an example
that the lady quickly followed, and they once
more set Off through the gathering darkness
Presently he became aware that they were
passing up drive bordered by tall blue gums,
and next minute the barking of large dog
and the sudden appearance Of lighted windows
told him that they had reached the house.
At tho door-or, rather, opposite to it, for
there was veranda in front they stopped
and got off their horses. As they did SO, out
OF the house there came shout Of welcome,
and presently in the doorway, showing out
clear against the light, appeared strik-
ing and, III its way, most pleasant figure.
He-for it was mall-was very tall, or,
rather, he had been very tall Now he was
muc. bent with age and rheumatism. His
long white hair hung low upon his neck, and
fell back from prominent brow. The top
Of the head was quito bald, like the tonsure Of
a priest, and shone and gliStened in the lamp
light and round this oasis the thin white
locks fell down. The face was shriveled like
the surface of we'll kept apple, and, like an
apple rosy red. The features were aquiline
and well marked, the eyebrows still black
and very bushy, and beneath them shone u
pair of gray eyes, as keen and bright as
hawks. But for all its sharpness, there was
nothing unpleasant or fierce about the face.
On the contrary, it was pervaded by re-
marl;able air of good nature and shrewdness.
For ull tho rest, the man was dressed III rough
tweed clothes, tall riding boots, and held
broad brimnled Doer hunting hat in his
hand Such was the outer man Of old Silas
Croft, ono of the most remarkable men in the
Transvaal, rs John Mel first saw him.
as that you, Capt. Mel" roared out the
stentorian voice. "The nat yes said you were
coming A welcome to you am glad to
see yo1-yery glad Why, that is the mat
ter with you.' he went OH as she Zulu Mouti
ran to help him off his horse.
"Matter, Mr.. Croft" answered John;
"why, the matter is that your favorite os-
trich has nearly killed me and your niece
here and that have killed your favorite os-
trich." .,,,......... ..,..-.......
4Fhen followed explanations from Bessie,
during which be was helped off his horse and
into the house.
ut serves me right" said the old man.
"To think of it now, just to think of it!
Well, Bessie, my love, thank God that you
escaped-ay, and you, too. Capt Mel. Here,
you boys, take the Scotch cart and u couple
of oxen, and 60 and fetch the brute home.
We may Us we'll have the feathers off him, at
any rate, before the aasvogels (vultureS) tear
him to bits"
After he had washed himself and tended
his injuries with alnica and water, John man.
aged to get into the principal sitting room,
where supper was waiting. 1t was a very
pleasant room, furnished in European style,
and was carpeted with mats made Of spring
buck skins. In the corner was piano, and
by it u bookcase, filled with the works Of
standard authors, the property, as John
rightly guessed, of Bessie's sister, Jess.
Supper went off pleasantly enough, and
after it was over the two girls sang and
played while the NEIL smoked. And here
fresh surprise awaited him, for after Bessie,
who had now apparently almost recovered
from ller mauling, had played piece or two
creditaby enough, Jess, who so far had been
nearly silent, sat down to the piano She did
not do this willingly, indeed, for it was not
until her patriarchal uncle had insisted in
his ringing, CHEEKY voice that she should
let Capt. Mel hear how she could sing
that she consented. But at last she did
consent, and then, after letting her fin
gers stray somewhat ainllessly along tho
chords, she suddenly broke out into such song
as John Mel had never heard before. Her
voice, beautiful as it was, was not what IS
known US a cultivated voice, and it was
German song, and therefore he did not un-
delstand it, but there was no need of words
to- translate its burden. Passion, despairing
yet hoping through its despair, echoed i'll its
every line, and love-unending love-hovered
over tho glorious notes-nay, descended upon
them like spirit and made them his. Up,
up rang her wild, sweet voice, thrilling his
nerves till they answered to the music as all
Eolian harp answers to the winds. On went
the song with divine sweep, like the sweep
OF rushing pnlons; higher, higher, yet hiSher
it SCARED, lifting up the listeners heart far
above the world OH the trembling wings of
sound-ay, even higher till the music hung
at heavens gate, and then it fell, swiftly as
all eagle falls, quivcred and was dead.
John gave gasp, and, SO strongly was he
moved, sank back IN his chair feeling almost
faint with the revulsion of feeling that cnsued
when the notes died away. He looked up
and caught Bessie watching him with I'LL mir
of curiosity and amusement Jess was still
leaning against the piano and gently touch
" ~ Il I r
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